First things, first. We are now an Official MQG with tax exempt status. After months of paperwork, celebration is in order along with a huge thank you to those who spent hours looking at paperwork! Now we’re officially a non-profit organization, an official 501(c)(3) status. Other than reading the word official twenty times, what does that mean for you? You are entitled to all of the benefits of being a Modern Quilt Guild.

Whew, it seems that we are multiplying each month. It was so exciting to see some many new faces. Everyone can visit with us up to two times before you are required to join. For the upcoming year, our dues will be $45.00. These will be due at our December meeting – and Jessica will be taking either cash or check. You can now also pay us via PayPal for a $1.61 convenience charge. The address is njmqginfo at gmail.com.

Speaking of our next meeting: we’ll be having a Holiday Party/Holiday Swap. I know I can’t wait to see what everyone creates and swaps. Also, it was pretty strongly decided that we will continue to do show and tell next month, especially since so many of our creations will be gifted by our next meeting in January. Be on the lookout for an email for treats you can bring. Treats to eat, that is!

Charity Quilt

As a non-profit we will be working to make sure we hold up our end of the bargain with charity quilts. Our first quilt is in the making, and it is ready to put together. If there are any takers for putting together the quilts – piecing, basting, quilting, binding, please let us know. Send an email to Melanie at melintheattic at gmail.com or Stephanie at stephaniemmullin at gmail.com. At the moment, we will use any and every talent you have! And we know you have it in spades. Speak up, friends!

Open Sew

December’s date will be during the day, December 5 at 10AM.
Work on charity quilts, bring your own fabric, and bring your own sewing machine.
Tables, irons, power cords will all be there.

Quilt Retreat

Aleeda has planned a quilt retreat that will be held March 21-23, 2014. Please see the information post here and contact her with your RSVP and questions.

Nametag Swaps

Another pair of nametags were swapped at our November meeting. Don’t be shy to sign up and swap with a newer member if you’d like to have a nametag made! And, then don’t forget to wear them – if you’re like me! (Sorry, Margy!)

Now, onto the good stuff. Show and Tell. Just when I think you people can’t get more talented, another meeting comes along.

(Big thanks to Peggy, who did our recap while Ashley had a work commitment)

Status of MQG Application

FINALLY, after much hard work, we have formally applied for membership in the national MQG and have a Guild bank account! However, MQG has a computer glitch, so we’re not officially a member guild yet, but our work on this is done. Thanks to all who worked so hard, especially Melanie. Now let’s move on to the fun stuff!

Communications

Melanie helped to simplify the communications methods the Guild will be using – much appreciated by those of us who grew up with one phone in the house, and it was wired to the wall in the hallway!

1. Guild web site: www.njmqg.com  This is where all official communication will be posted. It also takes the place of the old blog and will contain the show & tell pictures, general meeting summary, etc. This site is public, except that there is a separate members-only section which will contain guild confidential information (bylaws, board meeting minutes, roster, etc.)  The framework is in place but is still very much a work in progress.

2. We also have a group on Facebook. This is a private group for Guild members only. This is a very informal platform, much more laid-back than the web site. This is where guild members can ask for help about specific problems, share what they are working on, etc. Please note that there is a private “group” and a public “page.” They are not the same thing.

Members in good standing have been emailed an invitation to join the group. If it ended up in the spam folder or you are new, please search for North Jersey Modern Quilt Guild and request to join. Melanie and Ashley will authorize requests.

This site is up and running – and guild members have been very actively sharing on it! Lots of fun! It’s nice to make a connection with people since quilting is generally such a solitary occupation!

Welcome visitors

John Kubiniec, a quilt designer and friend of Betsy’s from Rochester, NY, came to the meeting. He’s participating in Quilters Take Manhattan and arrived in NJ early enough to join us. (And, yes, I did say “He” – our first guy visitor!)

Program Updates

Beth updated us about some upcoming programs in the next few months.

1 – Monthly sew-ins

Will be on first Thurs of each month, alternating day and evening. People should bring their own machines and supplies, but there are plenty of big tables. This is a time to work on your own projects in a social atmosphere. A sign-up sheet was passed around. If you are interested in being kept informed, notify Melanie.

First one will be during the day on Thursday, 10/3. Will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in N. Caldwell. Full details will be made  available to members within a few days.

Thanks to Stephanie for making the arrangements for us!

2 – Liesl Gibson Studio Tour

Liesl is the great designer behind the wonderful sewing patterns Oliver & S and Lisette. She has graciously agreed to give us a tour of her Brooklyn studio on Saturday, October 12. She is going to focus on how to achieve texture in quilts – sounds great!

A sign-up sheet was passed around. Full details will be made available to members within a few days.

3 – Guild Quilt/Banner

We’re going to make a quilt to display at meetings, shows, etc. The general plan is that everyone will make a block then we’ll work as a group to sew it together and quilt it. More will be discussed about this at the next meeting.

4 – Block Party

11 interested members signed up for this sewing bee. The idea is that each person is the “queen” for one month – she gets to choose the fabrics, etc. Everyone else makes a block to her specifications and brings it to the next meeting. Voila – a new quilt top! Email Melanie or njmqginfo[at]gmail.com if you’d like to join this group– they will email privately.

5 – Name Tags

6 people signed up for the Name Tag swap and were divided into 3 pairs. Each should make a name tag for her “partner” – preferable by the next meeting. The only stipulation is that the name tags be presented at a meeting for us all to enjoy!

Kourtney and Emma exchanged their name tags – beautiful!

SewDown Philly

Daniela enthusiastically shared her works-in-progress from this MQG event. She had a wonderful time and very highly recommended the SewDown experience.

SewDown Nashville

Start thinking about this! A group may be forming to attend this MQG event on April 11 – 13, 2014. See the MQG web site for all details. Don’t forget, we are eligible for the discount as official MQG members now!

 Workshops

Beth is compiling a list of people who’d like to present a workshop focusing on specific skills. Our first volunteer is Stephanie who will teach us the Six Minute Circle technique. Please let Beth or Melanie know if you have a particular skill you’d like to share with the group. These will be held at Sew-in meetings.

Donation Quilts

Stephanie also agreed to chair this committee – Yay!! She also told a wrenching story of a woman who lost her son and suggested that the group might make 4 quilts for the family – one for her, the son’s father, her daughter and her son’s best friend. Details about this project and the committee in general will be coming soon! If you are interested in getting committee-only communication, email Melanie

 Retreat

Aleeda has booked a retreat weekend for us at the Crossroads Retreat Center in Califon. The dates are Fri-Sun, March 21 – 23, 2014. The details are still being ironed out, but it will cost about $185 which includes all meals from Fri dinner through Sun. Deposit will be needed by the end of November and the Guild needs to confirm at least 12 attendees.

Aleeda passed around a sign-up sheet and will provide more details in the coming weeks. Let her know directly if are interested.

Victoria Findley Wolfe

Garden State Quilters has generously extended an invitation to us for Victoria’s presentation on  Monday, November 11, 2013 for free. (Victoria, as you are probably aware, won the Best Of Show award at QuiltCon.) They asked us for a head count, so if you are not a member of Garden State and would like to attend this presentation, please let Melanie know.

Presentation details: Monday, 11/11/13 7:00 PM

Chatham United Methodist Church
460 Main Street, Chatham, NJ

Just FYI, it takes about 30-40 minutes to get there from Montclair.

Challenge Blocks

15 members shared the challenge blocks they made using Cloud9’s “Land That Never Was” fabric – amazing how different they were! Michelle and Gina (owners of Cloud9) will pick their favorite and Rock Paper Scissors is donating a $25 store certificate to the lucky winner! Eventually we’ll have a guild project to make a quilt from the blocks. There will be another post after this one with pictures of all our blocks. If you weren’t at the meeting and need to get your block in for judging, email Melanie ASAP.

Show and Tell

Great show and tell this month. Here are some of the highlights. (We’re trying a new gallery style show and tell. What do you think?)

Great meeting, everyone! Keep an eye on the blog for all kinds of information in the next few days.